Montreal June 6th. 1776
[Extract]
...Our Enemies are daily encreasing & our Friend[s] deserting us; Under these Discouragements & Obstacles with a Powerful Army against Us, well disciplined & Wanting in no one Article to carry on their Operati[ons] it will be a Miracle If we keep the Country; My only Expectation is to secure our Retreat to St Johns or the Isle aux Noix, Where It will doubtless be thoug[ht] Necessary to make a stand, For which Purpose all the Batteaus & Vessels on Your side the Lake that can be spared should be sent Over, Our Gondolas we shall be Obliged to destroy, Others ought immediately to be taken in Hand to secure the Lake The Enemy I am well informed have brought [over] a Number with them, Framed and done to put up in a short Time; The Want of a little Attention in Time has lost Us this fine Country, I hope for better things on Your side, & that in the Rotation of Fortune, something better will turn up for Us here...
1. Washington Papers, LC.